94 



CHAP. X. 



ANIMALS OF THE WEASEL KIND. 



HAVING described the bolder ranks of carnivorous 

 animals, we come now to the more numerous and mi- 

 nuter kind. The species of the weasel is particularly 

 distinguished by the length and slenderness of their 

 bodies, which enable them to twist in the form of 

 worms through the smallest aperture after their prey ; 

 and is the reason of their having frequently been 

 ranked amongst the vermin kind. 



From the shortness of their legs they are not calcu- 

 lated for pursuit ; they are, therefore, obliged to have 

 recourse to theft and cunning for the support and pre- 

 servation of their lives. In disposition they are cow- 

 ardly, rapacious, and cruel, and destroy whatever they 

 are able to overcome. 



THE WEASEL. 



The Weasel is the smallest of this numerous tribe 

 of quadrupeds, its length not exceeding seven inches 

 from the tip of the nose to the insertion of the tail ; 

 the length, however, is disproportioned to the height, 

 which is little more than an inch and a half; the tail is 

 bushy, and about two inches long, the colour of the 

 body is a bright red ; but the throat and belly are de- 

 licately white, and resembles fur rather than hair. 



Like the cat, this animal has long whiskers ; but its 

 claws can neither expand or be withdrawn ; the eyes 

 are small, fierce, and black ; and the ears are formed 



